Home Care Instructions

Your tooth and surrounding gum tissue may be slightly tender for several days as a result of manipulation during treatment and previous condition of your tooth. This tenderness is normal and is no cause for alarm. Do not chew food on the affected side until your endodontic therapy is completed and your tooth is covered with a protective restoration provided by your restorative dentist. You may continue your regular dental hygiene regimen. Discomfort may be alleviated by taking ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin, or acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed.

(PHOTO: Dr. Hill’s daughter eating an apple.)

Taking Care of Your Tooth

Root canal treatment is only one step in returning your tooth to full function. A proper final restoration of the tooth is extremely important in ensuring long-term success.

Contact your dentist within two weeks to arrange your next appointment. If your tooth is being treated in more than one visit by an endodontist, do not return to your dentist for the final restoration until the root canal treatment is completed.

Guidelines for Post-Treatment Care

Do not eat anything until the numbness in your mouth wears off. This will prevent you from biting your cheek or tongue.

Be cautious when chewing on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist.

Be sure to brush and floss your teeth as you normally would. If the opening in your tooth was restored with a temporary filling material, it is not unusual for a thin layer to wear off in-between appointments. However, if you think the entire filling has come out, contact your endodontist.

Contact our office right away if you develop any of the following:

a visible swelling inside or outside of your mouth; -

an allergic reaction to medication, including rash, hives or itching (nausea is not an allergic reaction); -

a return of original symptoms; or - your bite feels uneven.

Will the tooth need any special care or additional treatment after endodontic treatment?

You should be careful when chewing on the treated tooth until you have had it restored by your dentist. The unrestored tooth is susceptible to fracture, so you should see your dentist for a permanent restoration as soon as possible. Otherwise, you need only practice good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and regular checkups and cleanings. Most endodontically treated teeth last as long as other natural teeth. In a few cases, a tooth that has undergone endodontic treatment does not heal or the pain continues. Occasionally, the tooth may become painful or diseased months or even years after successful treatment. Often when this occurs, redoing the endodontic procedure can save the tooth.

NOTE: Alcohol intake is not advised while taking any of these medications. Should you experience discomfort that cannot be controlled with the above listed medications, or should swelling develop, please contact this office immediately.

The office telephone is answered day and night. If you need to call after hours, please have your pharmacy number available.

Southwest Endodontics is proud to offer the highest level of care to our community. A combination of the latest treatments and technologies and a genuine passion for patient care allow us to provide our patients with optimal experiences and results in our office every day. Whether you are here for aesthetic or health reasons, we welcome you to our practice.